Building and Environment 53 (2012) 26e33

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Building and Environment

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Developing an indoor environment quality tool for assessment of mechanically

ventilated ofce buildings in the UK e A preliminary studyMicrosoft Translator
Mengembangkan alat kualitas lingkungan indoor untuk penilaian terhadap bangunan mekanis berventilasi ofce di UK e studi awal

Matiwaza Ncube*, Saffa Riffat

2nd Floor Sustainable Research Building, Department of Built Environment, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD Nottingham, United Kingdom

a r t i c l e i n f a b s t r a c t
o
This study describes the development of a new model for rapid assessment of Indoor Environment
Article history: Quality (IEQ) in air-conditioned ofce buildings in the UK using design, measured, calculated and
Received 1 September 2011 surveyed input data. The novelty of this model is that it addresses the need to present indoor envi-
Received in revised form
ronment performance ratings alongside energy performance certication and help determine by how
20 December 2011
much energy efciency imperatives sacrice human comfort. The model is based on the IEQindex which
Accepted 4 January 2012
was developed from literature. The IEQindex is an expression which was derived from four contributing
factors namely Thermal Comfort, Indoor Air quality (IAQ), Acoustic Comfort and Lighting. The relative
Keywords:
Ofce buildings weightings of each of the contributing factors were derived by tting a multiple regression model to
Rating system questionnaire data obtained from 68 occupants of two selected case study buildings in the UK. During
Indoor environment quality questionnaire administration, measurement of indoor environment variables such as air temperature,
United KingdomMicrosoft relative humidity, air velocity, illuminance, CO2 concentrations and A-weighted sound pressure level was
Translator carried out in order to validate occupant responses. An empirical expression more suited to the air-
conditioned ofces in the UK was developed and the end result was a computer based program called
Kata kunci: Ofce
the Indoor Environment Quality Assessment Tool (IEQAT). The model was compared to the AHP
bangunan Rating sistem developed by Chiang et al. and the models showed good agreement.
Indoor lingkungan
kualitas Inggris Raya

2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Ofce buildings that score high in energy and environmental
performance have now become agships of sustainability within
the built environment as global efforts are made to reduce carbon
emissions. In the UK about 70% of energy used in ofces is chan-
nelled towards ensuring comfort for occupants [1]. The quality of
the indoor environment depends on the design and operation of
building systems that control thermal comfort, IAQ, acoustics and
illuminance. Providing and maintaining acceptable levels whilst
keeping energy costs and carbon emissions low is an energy
demanding exercise that requires designers, owners and users of
buildings to make the right balance between energy saving
imperatives and providing comfort [2]. Research has shown that
IEQ is fundamental to the health and well being of the occupants
especially in the UK where many people spend a large proportion
of their working lives indoors [3]. Poor indoor environment
quality could negatively affect the prots of any organisation as the
costs of
* Corresponding author. 44 7746582854.
E-mail addresses: laxmn1@nottingham.ac.uk, mattncube@yahoo.co.uk
(M. Ncube).
absenteeism and low productivity most often exceed the cost of
energy use associated with maintaining acceptable standards [4,5].
On the other hand good indoor environment quality could
improve overall work performance by minimising the effects of
building related illnesses and absenteeism [6].
In the UK, buildings are now required by law to display energy
performance certicates based on recommendations of the Euro-
pean Parliament and Council Directive (EPDB) [7]. However making
energy performance declarations without declarations of the
indoor environment does not make sense since the criteria used
for the indoor environment signicantly affects energy use. Also,
the design criterion for the indoor environment is necessary
for dimensioning of energy systems and for energy use calculations
[8]. It is therefore correct to suggest that declarations relating to
the IEQ need to be presented alongside energy performance
declarations. In order to do this, tools based on IEQ models and
associated indices would need to be developed. Variables
common to both energy performance and IEQ evaluations will
need to be used if direct comparisons between the two are to be
made. The same applies to the rating systems.
Different methods for indicating IEQ in ofce buildings have
been suggested by researchers. Some of the methodologies
involve the use of subjective evaluation to obtain direct feedback
0360-1323/$ e see front matter 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.01.0 03
M. Ncube, S. Riffat / Building and Environment 53 (2012) 26e33 27
28 Nomenclature M. Ncube, S. Riffat / Building and Environment 53 (2012) 26e33
pa water vapour pressure, pa
PD percentage dissatised
Ai area ratio of a oor space PDACc percentage dissatised with acoustic environment
Atotal total oor area under investigation PDIAQ percentage dissatised with indoor air quality
bi weighting coefcients from regression PMV predicted mean vote
C0 2* background noise design value PPD predicted percentage dissatised
CCO2 concentration of carbon dioxide, ppm PPDTC predicted percentage dissatised with thermal
Ci perceived air quality comfort
Decipol perceived air quality in a space with a pollution source q ventilation rates, l/s* standard person
strength of one olf, ventilated by 10 1/s of clean air, i.e. Ra colour rendering index e lower limit
1 decipol 0.1 olf/(l/s) RH relative humidity
fcl the ratio of the surface area of the clothed body to Si IEQ score
the surface area of a nude body SIi sub index e contributors to perceived IEQ
2
hc convective heat transfer coefcient, W/m K ta air temperature, C
Icl thermal resistance of clothing, clo (1 clo 0.155 m2K/ TCindex thermal comfort index
W)
tcl surface temperature of clothing, C
K heat exchange by conduction
tdp dew point temperature, C
Lindex lighting comfort Index
olf number of standard persons required to make the air tmrt mean radiant temperature, C
as annoying as the actual pollution source var relative air velocity, m/s

from occupants and examples include the BUS occupant survey study buildings in the UK. We also assume that the indices for
[9], the Stockholm Indoor Environment Questionnaire [10] and calculating thermal comfort, IAQ, acoustics and lighting are
the NABERS rating system [11]. Such approaches are generally acceptable for building evaluations. This process will go a long way
criticised for their lack of predictive ability. Other approaches towards the derivation of weightings that are more relevant to
such as the Green Star Scheme [12], Chiangs and CASBEE [13] use the UK situation.
point scoring systems for various aspects of the indoor environ-
ment and they base these on consultations with selected groups
2. IEQ parameters
of people. The CASBEE system for example, uses weightings that
are based on the opinions of building services professionals to
2.1. The thermal comfort sub index
assign performance scores to various aspects of the indoor envi-
ronment. Critics believe that empirical models should be used
Thermal comfort is dened in the ISO 7730 standard as that
since they are more likely to represent actual opinion [4]. Some
condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal
approaches treat contributing parameters individually and
environment and is assessed mainly by subjective evaluation [18].
present them separately when evaluating IEQ although it is
Several thermal comfort models have been put forward by
common knowledge that all of the aspects play a part towards
researchers and in this study we suggest the most widely used
perceived IEQ [14].
model based on Fangers studies [15]. The model constitutes what
Fanger [15] however discounted any links between thermal
is now known as the ISO 7730 standard and it predicts the degree
sensations on the skin and key players such as acoustics, light, air
of thermal dissatisfaction which can be expressed by a large group
pollution ruling out any issues with confounding and paving way
of people exposed to moderate thermal environments in
for additive indices to be developed. Crucially single index based
mechan- ically ventilated ofces. The resulting index, called the
approaches present an opportunity to directly compare IEQ to
Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), is based on the comfort equation
energy ratings presented in most energy performance ratings.
and its esti- mation can be carried out using equation (1).
Unfortunately there is no recorded tool for this purpose due dif-
culty associated with putting weighting factors on contributing
parameters since these will vary from one building to another. PMV 4 0:303exp 0:0036H 0:0275 f6:57
Studies by Wong et al. [4] and Lai et al. [16] examined the quality 0:46H
of the indoor environment from the prospect of an occupants 0:31pa 0:0017Hpa 0:0014Hta 4:13fcl
acceptance of four aspects: temperature set points, carbon dioxide
concentrations, sound pressure level and illuminance level. They 1 0:01DT tcl tmrt hc fcl tcl ta g
used operative temperature in a logistic regression model to (1)
describe IEQ. Current standards however suggest approaches that
The Predicted Percentage Dissatised, i.e. the number of people
take into account all variables contributing to thermal comfort [8]
dissatised with the thermal environment can be obtained from
in air-conditioned ofces.
PMV values using equation (2).
An earlier study by Chiang et al. [17] presented a linear model
for predicting IEQ based on risk factors associated with negative
or positive health outcomes. The authors used a consultative PPDTC 100 95 exp 0:03353 PMV4 0:2179 PMV2
Analyt- ical Hierarchy Process involving building energy
experts and engineers to derive the relative weightings of each (2)
of the four contributors. The study provided a basis on which
We therefore dene the Thermal Comfort Index (TCindex) as the
linear models that predict IEQ given a set of conditions could be
percentage of people accepting the thermal environment and it is
developed. In this study we aim to improve linear models by
given as:
using weightings derived from occupants subjective
evaluations of selected case TCindex 100 PPDTC (3)
2.2. The IAQ sub index
Indoor air quality relates to occupant satisfaction with ventila-
tion effectiveness as well as the levels of pollution in the space.
Pollutants could include chemical, biological (including bio efu-
ents) and physical (particles) [19]. The IAQ index proposed here
is based on information obtained from European air quality
guide- lines [20]. The performance requirements for ventilation
and space conditioning systems are presented in the European
air quality standards [21]. The quality of indoor air in an ofce
building can be determined using any one of the three indicators:
Choice I: Calculate PD using ventilation rates:
Expressing IAQ is by measuring the amount of fresh air supplied
to a building space is common practice [22] therefore quality of
indoor air (PDIAQ) can be expressed in terms of ventilation rates (q)
as shown in equation (4).
preferred noise criterion (PNC) by Beranek; the room criterion (RC)
by Blaizer; and the loudness and loudness level by Stevens and
Zwicker. More information on the noise ratings can be found in
Bies and Hansen [23]. In this study the IEQ index is based on
literature review of selected studies [23e26]. From these studies
we found relationships between comments such as very
quiet, quiet, noisy, etc and A-weighted sound pressure
levels; and between the level of complaints and A-weighted
sound pressure levels. Therefore equation linking percentage
dissatised to background noise in dB (A) is given as follows:
PDACc 2ActualSound Pressure level DesignSound Pressure level (9)
Y % dissatised with noise and x the noise level in dB (A).
The Acoustic Comfort index is therefore estimated as:
ACcindex 100 PDACc (10)

PDIAQ 395 exp 1:83q0:25 for q 0:32l=s olf (4) 2.4. The lighting comfort sub index

and Lighting quality relates occupant satisfaction illuminance, illu-

PDIAQ 100 for q < 0:32l=s olf (5)
Choice II: Calculate PD from CO2 concentration above
outdoors: The amounts of bio efuents indoors can be linked
to CO2 concentrations. Although healthy occupants can tolerate
CO2 levels up to 10,000 ppm without serious health effects,
acceptable indoor CO2 level need to be kept below 1000 ppm
(650 ppm above the ambient level) in order to prevent
excessive accumulation of metabolites [20]. The Percentage of
occupants dissatised with the quality of air in a building can be
calculated using equation (6), where
CCO2 is the concentration of CO2 above outdoor concentration.
CO
0:25
2
PDIAQ 395 exp 15:15C (6)
Choice III: calculate PD from air pollution levels (decipol):
PD can also be expressed in terms of perceived air quality
measured decipol (in Ci). One decipol is the perceived air quality
in a space with a pollution source strength of one olf, ventilated
by
10e11 s of clean air, i.e. 1 decipol 0.1 olf/(l/s) [20]. Equation
(14)
shows the relationship between air pollution level in Decipol and
PD.
mination uniformity, luminance distribution, colour characteristics
(rendering and appearance), day lighting factors, room surface
reectance, glare and icker rates. These factors need to be in the
right balance for a particular function of a building. A number of
guides have been developed to ensure adequate lighting in ofces.
The CIBSE code for interior lighting provides guidance on important
aspects of indoor ofce lighting [27]. Lighting can be especially
important in buildings where tasks demand specic amounts of
light to be provided. For example in a general ofce illumination
levels should be at least 500 lux and the colour rendering index
should range from 60 to 80 lux [28]. Quoting from Chung and
Burnet d any general agreement on how the lighting quality
should be dened does not exist therefore horizontal illumination
of surfaces has acted as an acceptable guide for ofces and this
relates to the amount of light falling on a working plane [29].
Saunders showed the effects of increasing working plane
illumination on workers satisfaction with the quality of lighting
and equation (11) below is derived from the results [30]. In this
study the lighting index is based on the amount of light falling on
the working plane.
Lindex 176:16X 2 738:4X 690:29 (11)

4
Ci decipol 112 ln PDIAQ 5:98 (7)
where: X {ln(ln(lux))}.
Based on the number of persons dissatised with the aural (NC) curves, the balanced noise criterion (NCB) developed by
environment, the IAQ index (comfort) is therefore given as: Berane; the noise rating (NR) developed by Kosten and Van Os; the

IAQ index 100 PDIAQ (8)

2.3. The acoustic comfort sub-index

Acoustic comfort relates to the ability of the building to

provide an environment with minimal unwanted noise. The
source of this noise could be external to the building or internal
as in HVAC systems, or distractions from fellow occupants [23].
Buildings are designed to certain noise standards based on their
use, for example the level of noise in a library may differ from
noise specications in a public hall. Several of approaches
have been proposed by researchers aimed at predicting
occupant perception of noise levels in buildings. For instance Mui
and Wong [4] found that given the nature of the noise in the
ofce environments, the A-weighted continuous equivalent
sound pressure level (LeqA) index was more
suitable for evaluating indoor acoustic comfort. Standards are
available for design purposes and these include the noise criterion
3. The IEQ model

The IEQAT tool is based on the IEQ model. In the context of this
study a single index, called the IEQindex, is a function of four
contributing environmental factors and it is explained by means of
a mathematical formula or expression. The IEQ model relies on the
establishment of a linear relationship between perceived IEQ and
contributing factors. We accept that the impact of the
contributing
factors, i.e. the sub-indices or sub-indicators represent sanitary risk
factors to the occupants [31]. For example, a thermal comfort score
of 50% PD represents a certain level of risk of causing discomfort to
the occupant and therefore assume that the cumulative effect of
risk factors could impact on the occupants perception of the
indoor environment. We also accept that a reduction in risk means
a better environment for occupants. The model is not based on
causal relations, and does not claim that a causal relation exists
between the index and its contributors, but it takes
advantage of the predictive ability of correlational relationships.
As such, it should be used with caution. The Overall IEQ index
(IEQindex) is expressed as
a function of thermal comfort, IAQ, acoustic comfort and lighting
quality as shown in the expressions below:
IEQ index f TCindex ; IAQ index ; ACcindex ; Lindex ; .
(12)
X
IEQ index bi SIi
(13)
b1 e b4 are the weighting coefcients that can be derived
from regression results obtained from questionnaire data or by
other means and SI is the sub index. The IEQindex can
therefore be expressed by a multivariate model as follows:

IEQ index b1 TCindex b2 IAQ index b3 ACcindex b4

Lindex
(14)
The next section describes the methodology used to determine
the relative weightings of each of the four contributing
parameters.

4. Methodology
Fig. 1. Typical data logging set up: Actual set-up may be different.

4.1. Research design

The research adopted a correlational method called the Passive
Observational Method (POM) which involved the use of eld
measurements and questionnaires to determine the relative
importance of each of the contributors to perceived IEQ. The
methodical basis for selecting correlational designs is explained in
found in literature [32,33]. For regression and predictive modelling
(correlational) the most appropriate method is the Multivariate
Regression analysis.
4.2. Selection of sample buildings
In this study representative samples were drawn from a wide
list of Hoare Lea and other ofces across the UK. The samples
were selected using the probability sampling (stratied)
approach and ofces that were selected consisted of those which
were different from each other in many important ways. As a
result the ofces described in Table 1 were selected. The ofces
provided healthy adult individuals (respondents to questionnaire)
of any gender.
4.3. Data collection exercise
The questionnaire (Appendix 1) was used to collect occupants
opinion of the environment in which they worked. All
respondents were pre warned ve months in advance and
then reminded a week before the actual survey was carried out.
The questionnaires were completed while occupants worked in
their respective work stations and the questions took
approximately 10e12 min to complete. Monitoring of IEQ
variables affecting comfort on the working plane was carried out
throughout the working day using standard equipment. In this
way the data collected from the occupants could be compared
to eld measurements. A typical data collection set up is shown in
Fig. 1.
4.4. Long term evaluation capabilities of the IEQAT
that indicate whether a certain criterion is met or not. The IEQAT
proposes ve main categories for rating ofces based on the overall
IEQ value and the categories are shown in Table 2.
Assessing indoor environment performance over a period of
time is one of the key features of the tool. The percentage of time
a building falls into an assessment category gives a better
indication of the comfort trends in that building. A building is said
to have met certain criteria for a specic category when it meets
the following criteria [8]:
When its actual category in the rooms representing 95% of the
occupied space does not fall outside the limits of a category
for
5% of occupied hours in a day, week, month or year; and
When the rooms representing 95% or more of building volume
meet that criteria.
An hourly criterion is used to calculate the actual number of
hours or percentage of the time the criterion for that category is
met or not. Degree hours or days could also be used to indicate
the number of hours or days a building falls outside the upper or
lower boundaries for cold and warm seasons. This approach is
explained further in the EN ISO 13790 standard. An alternative
method which is based on weighted PMV and PPD values is
explained in Annex F of the EN 15251.
Assessment of individual ofces is straight forward. A different
approach is required for ofce complexes because more than one
area is considered. An average rating for an ofce complex is
calculated as a weighted average of the assessment results for each
type of ofce based on the ratio of oor space occupied by each
space. The score for an ofce complex is therefore given as:
X
Average IEQ index Si Ai
(15)
Important variables that are not used in the calculation of
perceived IEQ are included in the general checklists that are

Before any assessments of the indoor environment are carried

out we need to specify the categories of the indoor environment
Table 1 Table 2
Specic characteristic of selected case study buildings. IEQ assessment categories for rating ofce buildings.

Case Study Building HVAC System Ofce Ofce Type Design Category Value (IEQ) Comment
Present Grade Standards I 80 < x 100 Very High Quality IEQ
Granby House, Mixed mode B Open Plan Post 2006 II 60 < x 80 High Quality IEQ
Nottingham III 40 < x 60 Medium Quality IEQ
Leeds Town Centre Mechanical A Open Plan Post 2006 IV 20 < x 40 Low Quality IEQ
House V 0 x 20 Very Low Quality IEQ
Fig. 2. Case study results for the Leeds Town Centre & Granby House.
Fig. 2. (continued).
provided as part of the IEQAT. A combination of checklists and Table 3
the ratings provide a good picture of the general state of the Comparison of relative weightings produced by the AHP and the regression
processes.
indoor environment. The methods used to derive relative
weightings of each of the contributors to IEQ are outlined in the Process Thermal comfort IAQ Rel. Acoustics Rel. Lighting Rel.
Rel. weighting weighting weighting weighting
next section.
AHP 0.24 0.34 0.19 0.23
New Model 0.30 0.36 0.18 0.16
5. Results & analysis (Both Ofces)

Single index based models that aim to predict the quality of the weightings from the AHP.
indoor environment should consider all four main aspects of the
indoor environment separately before combining them. This aspect
of IEQ evaluation helps identify aspects of the indoor environment
that may need particular attention.

5.1. Indicators of the indoor environment e thermal comfort,

IAQ, acoustics and lighting comfort

Using equations (1)e(11) and 15, thermal comfort, IAQ,

Acous- tics, lighting and IEQ were calculated using data measured
during the study of case study buildings as input. The condensed
results for each case study are shown in Fig. 2.
The results highlight that the tool is capable of generating
various presentations of the indoor environment, for example the
radar chart represents average values for the period investigated
while the line graph shows the trends in performance of the
buildings for the same period. The bar chart represents the
percentage of the time each variable falls within the limits of
categories highlighted in Table 2. The results are self explanatory
and they will not be explained further.

5.2. Multivariate regression analysis of questionnaire data

Regression analysis was carried out to get a better picture of the

relative importance of each of the parameters contributing to
perceived IEQ in the studied ofce buildings. The MLWiN statistical
software, which is a multilevel modelling software, was used
to carry out regression analysis at occupant level. Carrying
out regression analysis at ofce level (i.e. individually) did not
produce signicantly different results. The results showed that the
resultant model explained the behaviour of the dependant
variable (adjusted
R2 0.94) and the model as a whole has a lot to say about
perceived
IEQ (Signicance F 3.91exp ( 27)). In this case we reject the null
hypothesis [34]. Lighting clearly contributes the least to perceived
IEQ in this case (b 0.16, p 0.12) followed by acoustics (b
0.18, p 0.06), followed by thermal comfort (b 0.29, p 8.5*exp
( 5)) and nally IAQ (b 0.36, p 0.0006). The constant has
been excluded from regression analysis because the results show
a very poor association between the contributors and IEQ (R2
0.42), and the model has a very poor p value for the constant
(0.82). Adjusting
the coefcients so that the sum of their contribution to IEQ is
100%
equation (14) becomes:

IEQ index 0:30 TCindex 0:36 IAQ index 0:16

Lindex
0:18 ACcindex 16

The interpretation of Equation (16) is that for example, for a

unit increase or decrease in thermal comfort, the IEQindex increases
and decreases by 0.3 respectively, all else being equal. In terms
of energy use any energy efciency measure that increases
perceived thermal comfort by 1 unit will add 0.3 to the expected
perceived IEQ value. The same applies to other indices hence the
equation can
be used in a tool where the management of variables that affect
energy use without sacricing comfort is important. Table 3 is
a comparison between the weightings of the new model and the
 We also note from the table that based on the AHP thermal
comfort is about 1.27 times as important as lighting, IAQ is 1.77
times as important as lighting, and acoustic comfort is about 1.23
times as important as lighting. Using the new equation thermal
comfort is almost twice (1.88) as important as lighting, IAQ is 2.25
times as important, and acoustic comfort is about 1.13 times as
important.
Fig. 3 shows a comparison between IEQ ratings from the AHP,
the new Model (IEQAT) and survey data. Both methods also
showed close agreement with the surveyed IEQ data.
For ofce buildings in the UK equation (16) is more relevant for
the geographic areas, seasons, characteristics of occupants and
types of ofces used as case studies. The equation cannot be
generalised to all air-conditioned ofce buildings in the UK, more
studies will need to be carried out to determine if there are any
trends associated with other aspects of ofces such as their loca-
tion, size, types of occupants, etc.

5.3. Potential benets of the IEQAT

The IEQAT is a tool adds value to current IEQ assessment tools

because it is based on empirical data. It measures the state of the
thermal environment; quality of indoor air; quality of the acoustic
environment; quality of the visual (lighting) environment; and
the overall (combined) state of the indoor environment in ofces.
The state of the ofce environment is its rating and this could
provide an effective framework for assessing building
performance. Depending on available data the IEQAT can be
extended to other types of ofces and similar buildings in the UK.
Its predictive nature means sources of input data could include
design, calculated, measured and questionnaire (survey) data.
The results of the assessments can be presented on an
instantaneous (real time), hourly, daily, weekly monthly, seasonal
and annual basis depending on the amount of information at hand,
and in comparison with the amount of energy used.
It is possible to compute IEQ and other results for whole or
parts of ofce buildings using this tool for example, tenants
within the same building could chose to have different IEQ
assessment certicates/ratings based on the performance of the
tenanted area. This is particularly important in buildings that
have a degree of variation in microclimates due to factors such
as tenant location within the building, poor design of the HVAC
systems, etc. The tool also makes it possible to assess
buildings at any stage of construction, i.e. from design stages
right up to post occupancy evaluation stages. Hence it has
potential to be used as a design tool that sets sustainable design
priorities for engineers and determines which energy efciency
measures provide a good balance between environmental
performance and occupant comfort.
The rating system therefore provides market recognition for
high performing buildings, can be used to negotiate tenancies,
gives a competitive advantage to better quality ofces and
encourages best practice in commercial buildings. The IEQAT can
either be used for voluntary assessment of ofce spaces or
enforced in a form of legislation should the need arise. It can
also be used to improve current assessment systems by
incorporating it into comprehensive Building Environment
Performance tools.
 100
90
80
70
60
IEQ rating
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
Occupant No.
Fig. 3. Comparisons of IEQ data from the AHP model, survey and new IEQ model.
6. Conclusions
Assessment tools for ofce buildings are very important. The
work carried out in this study could lead to the development of an
IEQ model that reects the opinion of the occupant. The use of
variables that are used in the calculation of building energy
performance for the calculation of IEQ is an important step in the
development IEQ methodologies if comparisons between energy
use and occupant comfort are to be made. The IEQAT has potential
to be used as a design, management and compliance tool and it
can be easily incorporated into the BMS and into many
comprehensive building environmental assessment tools. The tool
however needs to be followed up by rigorous study of typical
ofce buildings in order to establish a database of trends in
weightings associated with each type of ofce.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the ofce
occupants who participated in the surveys and the commitment
of Hoare Lea & Partners and the EPSRC in nancing the study.
Appendix. Supplementary material
Supplementary data related to this article can be found online
at doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.01.003.
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